First Tee National School Program comes to CCPS Elementary Schools through Georgia Power Partnership

JONESBORO – Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) has joined the list of 1,200 nationwide school districts to offer the First Tee National School Program to the students of the school system. All thirty-seven (37) of the CCPS elementary schools will now include The First Tee National School Program as part of the schools physical education instruction through a partnership between The First Tee and Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power.

In 2013, Southern Company committed to launching The First Tee National School Program at 1,000 schools over five years. As part of that total commitment, The First Tee has implemented the program at 244 elementary schools in Georgia, which impacts more than 100,000 students through its partnership with Southern Company and Georgia Power.

With a focus on helping students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf, the program allows students to engage in safe, fun activities that lead to motor-skill development while gaining an introduction to a lifelong recreation and health-enhanced activity.

“We believe that when education is a diverse process it better prepares students for academic success and empowers them to compete in a global society,” said Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent Luvenia Jackson. “We are extremely grateful to Georgia Power and The First Tee National School Program for allowing us this opportunity to enhance the education process for our students by providing them different avenues of learning that encourage positive behavior and teaches social skills.”

As part of the partnership, The First Tee will provide professional development training to CCPS physical educators to demonstrate how to incorporate character lessons as well as basic golf instruction. The professional development will take place on August 2, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Forest Park High School Gym, located at 5452 Phillips Drive in Forest Park, Georgia.

“We are proud to help bring The First Tee to elementary schools in Clayton County,” said Lisa Smith, Georgia Power Metro South Region Manager. “Georgia Power has a strong history of encouraging new education initiatives across the state and we are excited to support the work of The First Tee in our community.”

About the First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has grown its network to deliver programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. In 2015, The First Tee brought character education through the game of golf to more than 4.7 million young people. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.

About Clayton County Public Schools

Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is fully accredited through AdvancedED –Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. The district offers a focused world class program based on a challenging curriculum which is taught from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Serving over 54,400 students, Clayton County Public Schools is ranked among the 100 largest school districts in the U.S., and is the fifth largest school system in Georgia.